WISCONSIN RAPIDS—Brett Harms took one last look around the finish line area at the Ridges Golf Course early Saturday afternoon and broke into a huge grin.

The Whitewater senior distance runner had just completed his fourth and final individual appearance at the WIAA Division 2 boys state cross country meet, and while it didn't meet all of his expectations, he had no regrets.

“I would have liked to have finished a little higher up,” said Harms, who duplicated his fifth-place finish of a year ago, covering the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 14.27 seconds. “But just getting to the podium again is something I couldn't have dreamed I'd do.”

Last season, Harms became the Whippets' first medalist since Ben Maas won the Division 2 individual title in 1995.

A three-time sectional champion, Harms hoped to contend for the individual title his senior year.

But Monroe senior Ethan Moehn pulled away from the field to cruise to his first individual state championship in 15:58.93. Shorewood's Charlie Stahl was a distant second in 16:07.87. Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner was fourth (16:11.50).

“I can't complain. Just getting back here is a task itself. Being on the podium again is wonderful,” said Harms, who ran a 16:05.32 as a junior.

“The course was a little muddy in parts. The footing might have been a little off, but overall it was really firm. I like a fast course, and it was really nice.”

Harms said he will always remember the finish line at the Ridges and crossing it four times during his illustrious career.

“This year the end came a lot sooner,” he said of the race. “I knew where it was but it seemed like it went by a lot faster like the past four years.